Improvement in breast-pumps



tanda taic LEIenroNo. ooLvtn-or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

Laders Patent No. 108,882. dated November 1, 1870.

IMPRQVEMENT IN BREAST-PUMPS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concer-n 'Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention, like that vpatented to me on the 17th of February, 1863, uses a cup, which may be bellshapcd or of flaring form, and contains within it a icxible lining, made to f'orm a close joint with the cup near its outer edge, but free or loose below, tor operation of it as a piston, by a handle or lever, and the cup having the nipple arranged to occupy a lateral positionrelatively to it.

Here, however, the analogy with the pumppreviously patented to me, as just referred to, ceases, and the construction and action of the vpresent pump is essentially different, the latter comprising a spunhollow construction of the rim of the cup for retention within it, without a binding o1securing-wire, of the flexible and elastic lining at its outer and thickened edge, with facility for its indiscriminate insertion within the cup, and said lining being made capable of operation' by its handle or lever in any or various di- `reetions, either lateral or rocking, by reason of the delivery-valve, which opens upward or outward, being arranged within or connected with saidl level'. This valve, inthe operation' of the pump, isalways covered with milk, which insures its perfect action, the milk rising-within the operating lining of the cup.

The nipple, which may be made of glass, is attached by an interior hollow-screw, and exterior soft or elastic-packing, to or within a suction branch, which forms a secure and advantageous mode of attachment, with every facility for its detachmcnt to facilitate the fitting on of' a different-shaped nipple, or otherwise.

Said suction-branch, although occupying a lateral position, ismade to communicate with the cup at its bottom through a contracted aperture at the end of the passage. Y

By this construction and arrangement the operating lining is prevented from closing the suction-passage and the cup is kept charged with milk, the small aperture at the end of the passage operati-ng as a valve to retain themilk till suction is established, which is kept np by the milk, instead of' air as the intervening medium. No milk receptacle other than the cup is required for this pump.

In further explanation of these several features, A, in the accompaning drawing, represents the cup, which is made of metal, with its rim a spun into a A and Vwith the lever,

hollow or grooved form, to allow of the flexible and elastic diaphragm or lining B, which may be of rubber, being sprung at its thickened edge binto the rim, which thus serves to retain it without the aid of wire binding, and regardless of any particular line of entry, with freedom for its adjustment in a circular direction within the cup.

Gis the operating lever, which is attached by a screw-socket and plates c and d to the bottom 'of the diaphragm B, and has a passage within or through it to the interior of' the diaphragm, and, by an aperture, e, with the cup on the exterior of said diaphragm, under control of a delivery-valve, f, opening upward, and arranged .in the lower end of the lever Aor socket and plate portion of the diaphragmconnected therewith.

The milk being discharged through said valve` into the interior ot' the cup or its lining, will always cover the valve, and thus secure at all times the perfect operation of' the valve, while the connection 0i' the latter with the lever or diaphragm, as described, allows ofthe pump bcingvoperated either by a lateral or rocking motion of' the lever, regardless of direc Jtion.

vD is the nipple, which may be made of glass, and

which is secured in a firm and readily-detachable manner, free from liability to breakage, within a socketed branch, E, by means ot' an interior' hollow screw g and interior soft or elastic packing h.

This branch, although arranged to have a lateral position, preferably in an oblique directien relatively to the cup, has its connection made with \the'bottom of the cup, by means of a passage, m, which is in communication with a free space below the rdiaphragm by a contracted aperture, s.

Such connection of the nipple passage with the` bottom of the cup vprevents the elosingot' said passage by the diaphragm, and keeps the pump charged with milk, the contracted aperture s operating as a valve to retain the milk till suction is established,

which is kept up, to the exclusion of air, by play of the milk within the pump.

What is here claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

v 1. lhe cup A, having its edge spun to form a hollow rim or border, a, in combinationwith'the elastic diaphragm or lining B, sprung at its thickened edge b within said rim, substantially as-s'pecied.

2. The arrangement of the valve f, in combination with the lever C and diaphragm B, for operation by undercover of the milk, essentially as herein set forth.

3. The combination with thenipple D of the' hollow screw g, the soft 'packing h, and the sockete( branch E, essentiallyvas shown and described. v

L. O. OOLVIN.

' Witnesses;

FEED. Haynes, g vR..E. RABEAU, 

